RentSmart Landlords

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RentSmart makes being a landlord easier.

RentSmart is an education program that builds the skills, knowledge and confidence to have a successful tenancy.

RentSmart Tenants know how to look after their place, have a financial plan to pay their rent on time and in full, and communicate respectfully and effectively. Graduates receive a Certificate that can act as a reference.

Frequently Asked Questions

People who take RentSmart tend to face barriers to housing, primarily by not having a housing reference. These people include: young people and first time renters, newcomers to Canada and people in life transitions.

People who take RentSmart invest 12 hours in learning how to be a responsible tenant. They learn about their rights and responsibilities, financial management, effective communication and how to look after their (and your) unit. RentSmart builds an understanding of the landlord’s perspective and we look to build common understanding between tenants and landlords. The goal is long-term, successful tenancies.

The rental market is tough, and for people who do not have landlord references or credit history, it is a frustration in closed doors. RentSmart aims to give graduates a second look from landlords by providing a verifiable reference from a 3rd party organization.

We provide an opportunity for tenants to demonstrate to landlords that they have learned the skills to be a good tenant. However, landlords still need to make sure that a tenant is the right fit for their housing.

Yes, we provide professional development training for landlords wanting to be a part of the housing solution. This training comes with a ‘successful tenancies’ handbook to help set up tenancies for success. Contact us for more information.

Beside great tenants? You get a RentSmart decal and logo that you can display, language to include on your application form, recognition on our website, an annual shout-out to all our RentSmart Landlords across Canada, and access to our Successful Tenancies handbook.

“Participants feel empowered when given the knowledge and
skills of the many components that RentSmart offers. Participants
are engaged to attempt to meet their own basic housing and social
needs. Their increased knowledge of tenant/landlord rights and
responsibilities motivate them to confidently seek housing both
inside/outside of their home communities. To move forward with
healthy expectations and the feeling of being able to have a positive
impact on their own futures, to function as valued tenants
and/or homeowners.”

– Landlord

“I for sure have seen ready to rent empower community members!
They don’t realize how little they know about living off reserve until
taking the course. When we live on reserve our whole lives moving off
is a complete culture shock because finally we are held accountable for
our actions meaning we HAVE to pay rent in order to have a home there
is little flexibility for us, and also we have to think of our finances and
budget our money properly so the members think ‘wow I need a full
time job and so does my mate in order to make this work’ so taking the
course is somewhat of a stepping stone on to bigger and better things,
like getting a job or going back to school so that they can get a
good job to afford housing.”

– Landlord

“As a landlord of apartment rentals one of the key things I use to vet potential tenants
is their credit history. In my experience, if they pay their bills on time, generally they end up being
good (if not always quiet) tenants. Other criteria we use are employment history, former landlord
and personal recommendations etc. However, I can’t rely on credit history when there is no credit record and
this often happens when applicants are new to the country/province – be it recent immigration or arrival
to complete courses at university. In this instance I would find it useful if the applicant had completed the
RentSmart program. A completed RentSmart program would help indicate an applicant’s serious
attitude towards finding rental housing and also make an application stand out from others. “